Five teams that could be a surprise this season

Byron Center junior Ben Heagle posts up during a Fall Ball game in October, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Not every team will be in the Top 10 or a traditional power. But there are a few teams that could surprise people this season. Here are five that are worth watching.

BYRON CENTER
The Bulldogs were 5-15 last season and finished a distant sixth place in the O-K White Conference. But don’t let that fool you. They have a very talented team. Six potential starters: Senior Austin Buckley, juniors Ben Heagle, Connor Ferguson, Jayden Brock and sophomores Camden Karel and Isaac Lee.
Buckley is a smooth shooter, Ferguson is a speedy guard and Brock is an athlete that plays above the rim. Lee is a future star at point guard and the 6-foot-9 Karel already has a Division 1 offer. His ceiling is high. This could be a breakout year for the big man. But Heagle might be the one that makes this team go. He’s a physical 6-foot-5 forward with a high motor. He can dunk in traffic and is a good rebounder.

Caledonia junior Kyan VanderWoude puts up a shot during a Fall Ball game in October, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla.

CALEDONIA
The Fighting Scots are not one of the top teams in the O-K Red. But they won’t be a pushover either. Caledonia had a strong Fall Ball season, with the highlight being a win over Catholic Central. Last season, they were 10-10 and finished tied for fourth in the Red.
The emergence of Jaiden Googins changes everything. The junior is a bulldozer in the paint. One referee said to me “Who is this kid? No one can stop him!” During summer ball, he was averaging 20 points per game with the West Michigan Future.
The biggest jump will be from Kyan VanderWoude. The junior had a huge summer and fall season. He’s grown like a weed to 6-foot-4 and is really smooth. He likely will be the point guard, but would be better as an off guard to let him show off his game. He can shoot and slash to the hoop.

Grandville junior Cam Regnerus has grown to about 6-foot-8 and is a force in the paint. Here he competes in a Fall Ball game in October, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRANDVILLE
The Bulldogs will upset a few teams this year. Their offense starts in the post. Cam Regnerus has a baby face, but the 6-foot-8 junior plays like a man. He might be a better shot blocker than anything else. But he’s got strong moves in the paint and he’s actually a pretty good shooter from 3-point range. Senior guards Tyson Mann and Ryder Haight are really good ball handlers. They both played on the same Grand Rapids Storm team during the summer. Corbin Heckman, a 6-foot-4 forward, is a big body and can be a strong scorer and rebounder. The Bulldogs were 9-10 last year in the regular season.

Derrick King Jr. competes in a Fall Ball game in October, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

OTTAWA HILLS
Be honest, you’re surprised the Bengals are on this list, too. But coach Derrick King has some nice weapons for the first time in awhile. It’s going to be hard to battle in the O-K Gold, since Ottawa has to play Catholic Central, South Christian and Forest Hills Eastern twice, but they won’t be a pushover. Derrick King Jr., a junior guard, is the best ball handler on the team and will make this group go. But he will have some help this year. The Bengals got two transfers that will change the offense. Quadir Hatchett, one of the most dynamic guards in the area, transferred in from Wyoming. The senior likely will lead the team in scoring. They also got 6-foot-7 forward DeNairo Paul from Union. The senior has long arms and can dunk in traffic.

Wyoming Lee senior Joe Russau transferred in from Memphis, Tennessee. Here he competes in a Fall Ball game in October, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

WYOMING LEE
Lee joins the Alliance League for the first time this season and they have a new look on the court, too. Second-year coach Dominic Shannon got two transfers that will change the dynamic of the team, which was 6-16 last year. Keontae Taylor, a senior forward, returns. He led the team in scoring with more than 20 points per game. He also had a 40-point game against Black River last year.
Marc Whitfield transfers in from Kelloggsville. The junior guard averaged 10 points per game as a sophomore and was named to the OK Silver All-Conference Team. They also got a big forward named Joe Russau, who moved to Wyoming from Memphis, Tennessee. Russau, a 6-foot-4 forward looked strong during the Fall Ball season. The Legends also have a dynamic freshman guard named J.R. Metcalf.